Chapter 477: New Trouble

In the spaceship's sunroom, Huo La sat slumped, unable to muster any spirit, his face weary: "They don't even let you catch a breath; one matter just ended, and a new trouble has come knocking."

Bilan glanced at him helplessly: "We can't blame anyone else. When Paipa set off to return, you were certain he held a trump card and wouldn't get into trouble. But what happened? Spinel directly had people come to the door, threatened harshly, demanding you go personally, or else they'd target Paipa's whole family."

Huo La also frowned: "I truly didn't expect that, even with Terapagos—a Divine Beast that can traverse Time and Space—by his side, he was still restrained by the opponent."

"Arguing about this now is useless," Green took over, expression grave, "Spinel specifically named us to go, we can't avoid it. But once we're in Paldea, how should we respond?"

Huo La looked at Green, shook his head helplessly: "I've already sent Chi Hong Ge with a Charizard ahead, and assigned tasks to Xiao Gang and Xiaoyin, but right now I truly lack full confidence."

"When we step into Paldea, we'll inevitably face Spinel head‑on. The Explorer Team's structure has shifted dramatically; he no longer hides, and is effectively the power behind the scenes."

Green let out a long sigh: "Seeing you like this, this time we're really in trouble."

"It's not entirely hopeless," Huo La sat up a bit, "as long as Xiao Gang and Xiaoyin successfully locate Aimeijiao, we'll retain the initiative throughout, and the final control stays in our hands."

Meanwhile, deep within a dense forest of the Paldea Region.

Xiao Gang and Xiaoyin rode steadily atop the broad back of Steelix.

Among tangled branches and vines, the ride jolted; Xiaoyin lifted a hand to brush off leaf fragments from his face, retorting impatiently, "I'm fed up—why on earth did I come to this desolate place to suffer?"

Xiao Gang gave a helpless smile, turned to him: "Originally this mission was planned for me and Ash to come together; you volunteered first, eagerly agreeing in front of Bilan, and no one forced you."

The reason struck a chord, and Xiaoyin was instantly speechless, closing his mouth in resentment.

Upon careful recollection, it was indeed his own desire to impress Bilan that impulsively made him take on the task.

He curled his lip, resentfully changing the subject: "That Aimeijiao, is it really hidden in this blasted forest?"

Xiao Gang lowered his head, staring at the clear coordinates on his phone, thought briefly, and slowly explained, "The intel came from Meow Meow's group. Though they're not aligned with the current Rocket Team, they can still mobilize Rocket Team resources. This lead is most likely accurate."

Hearing "Rocket Team Trio," Xiaoyin fell into silence.

After the Alola incident ended and Huo La's party departed, he and Xiao Gang later encountered the Rocket Team Trio again. Learning that the opening of the Ultimate Abyss had inadvertently been caused by those three filled him with sighs.

Recalling the bizarre exploits of the trio he'd heard about intermittently over the years, he couldn't help but reflect inwardly.

Though they often appear defeated and comically awkward, their strength is uncanny and their background unfathomable; they've never been as simple as they seem.

"Hm? We're almost at the point Meow Meow gave. To be safe, we'll dismount and walk, moving discreetly."

Xiao Gang raised his hand to halt the advancing Steelix, signaling the two to land covertly.

Xiaoyin tightened his backpack, then deftly leapt off the wide snake's back, eyes scanning the surrounding deep forest warily.

Deep in the forest, a hidden Cabin stood solitary.

Inside, the elderly Hanbeier, dressed in butler attire, stared at the forest surveillance feed on the screen, his expression growing increasingly grave.

"Hanbeier, what's happened?"

A slightly weary voice sounded.

Inside, the youth Aimeijiao, with split‑colored hair, lifted his gaze; days of hiding and lying low left his eyes full of fatigue.

"Young Master Aimeijiao, two people have arrived outside the woods and are slowly approaching," Hanbeier reported in a deep voice.

Aimeijiao's eyes narrowed: "Are they underlings of Spinel?"

"Doesn't seem so," Hanbeier shook his head lightly, tone certain, "our hideout is extremely concealed; even Spinel himself hasn't noticed. These two could not be his men. Moreover, from their attire and gait, they don't match the Explorer Team's style at all."

"No matter how hidden a refuge is, it's ultimately just a matter of scraping by."

Aimeijiao muttered self‑deprecation in a low voice, his tone laced with unmistakable loneliness and helplessness; the pride of his former high status had long been eroded by days of hiding.

"Young master…"

Hanbeier wanted to speak but held back, his heart full of regret.

Aimeijiao quickly composed himself and said in a deep voice, "Whether these two are Spinel's men or not, finding this place precisely means we're their target. Go out, meet them, probe, and uncover their true origins and purpose."

"As you command, young master."

On the top floor of Zhuoyue Dasha, the former private infirmary that once belonged to Jibeiweng has long been completely renovated.

The spacious room was empty and cold; aside from a large desk, there was nothing else, and a sense of loneliness hit the air.

Spinel sat alone behind the desk, lacking any triumphant aura of control; a faint melancholy and fatigue lingered in his brows, and the atmosphere around him was heavy and complex.

The door was gently pushed open, Yindi strode in, whispering, "Shoushou."

Spinel lifted his eyelids, voice flat, "Anything?"

"The spaceship carrying Huo La's party has already entered Paldea's airspace," Yindi reported faithfully.

Upon hearing, a flash of brightness crossed Spinel's weary eyes, his heavy breath eased slightly, and he nodded faintly, "Understood. Bring Huo La here directly to meet me; I'll wait."

"Got it, Shoushou," Yindi replied, pausing briefly before cautiously asking, "Should we arrange a security check?"

Spinel, aware of his concern, pondered briefly, then slowly shook his head, "No need; just bring him up directly."

"Yes!"